Outline Catholic teachings on wealth and poverty The Catholic Church bases its teachings on wealth and poverty on their interpretations of various scriptures

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Rosie McLaren

a)i) Outline Catholic teachings on wealth and poverty

   The Catholic Church bases its teachings on wealth and poverty on their interpretations of various scriptures. In the Old Testament there are plenty of occasions when God gives people laws that make it clear that they are to care for the poor and treat them with justice. Examples of these are: ‘If you lend money to one of my people…’(Exodus 22: 21-22,25) and ‘When you reap the harvest of your land…’ (Leviticus 23:22). Both these extracts are at the centre of the Catholic teachings and values on world poverty today and the way in which people should help. The New Testament also has a very prominent place for its concern for the poor and needy. Many people in the time in of Jesus believed that wealth was a sign of blessing and that the rich should be respected because God had rewarded them. Jesus’ teaching gave a very different message to this view. In Matthew’s Gospel, the parable of  ‘The Sheep and the Goats’ shows how Jesus identified himself with the poor, so that caring for the poor is the same as caring for Jesus, and ignoring the poor is the same as ignoring Jesus.  According to the New Testament, riches must be used for the help of others, especially the poor. This why Christians believe that all humans are equal in the eyes of God and that all the good things of the earth have been given to humans by God to use help each other and this is why Christians are not just concerned about the poor in Great Britain.

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   Many of the Christian beliefs refer to justice. From following many of the Bible teachings, Catholics are most aware of a particular message from God, that all people are equal and should all be treated fairly and justly. I think that this is the most important and significant of all the different varied teachings, which have been referred to since the Bible began. Through charities and organisations, the Catholic religion involves itself in helping the poor and needy and working to remove unfairness, discrimination and exploitation in any form from society, to create a world in which God wishes ...

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